From July 13 to August 24, I went to Australia to study English through the SAP program. The SAP program supports students financially to acquire a cosmopolitan outlook by improving our ability in foreign languages and cultural experience. The program is held during summer vacation and winter vacation by the Office of International Affairs.
Language study in Australia gave me many changes. The most remarkable change is the improvement of my English speech. Before I went through the experience, I was so embarrassed that I stammered when confronted with foreigners using English. However, now my mouth opens without reservation to converse with foreigners.
If we are in Australia, we have to face Australians just to drink a bottle of water. In short, I was exposed to using English around the clock. Learning and mastering English, the weakest thing was always speaking. But, now speaking is the most confident part. During the short period, I had conversations with my home-stay mother, named Margaret Spencer, about many topics such as saving water, drought, the recent election and marriage culture. The level of English class I took in the University of Adelaide was basic, but it helped to improve my English ability because the class was in only English.
The University of Adelaide provides many events for foreign students, which include taking a sight-seeing trip, a place to meet other classmates, and a bush dance, an Australian traditional dance. Most students who learned at the English Language Center took part in the bush dance. Their home-stay family also had to attend. We were able to enjoy dancing with partners who were made on a whim. The dance is very easy to learn because it is made up of just choreography that is short and repetitive. It really entertained me and all the people who participated in the bush dance.
When the graduation ceremony was held, I felt regret somehow and a sense of satisfaction for receiving the certificate. After the graduation finished, we had the last supper. During the six weeks, I did not know how close we were. But I could figure it out by taking pictures with our members. It is true that there is a meeting, and also there is a separation. So we parted, pledging to meet again in Daegu.
In addition, we increased our understanding about different cultures by being exposed to an absolutely dissimilar culture. Now I am able to adapt to another culture easily. Above all, life in Australia was freedom itself. I could enjoy my life without the interference of parents.
Finally, before I came back to Korea, I made a decision to travel to Melbourne with five friends. It was for two nights and three days. We did not have any plans to look around Melbourne. However, we had one guide book and limitless strength. Our travel was like Limitless Challenge, which is a popular variety show in Korea. I was sad to see the beautiful night view through only my eyes because a photo can’t show the real night view. The gilded night view was completely different from the night view in Adelaide. The Edge experience in the Eureka Skydeck 88 sky viewing platform gave me the chills. It is at the top of Eureka Skydeck 88, and we can see outside on every side including the bottom.
Life in Australia gave many memories to me. I have always felt that English is very difficult. But now I can enjoy English itself, through this experience.
